NIU’s Student Housing Services director claimed his experience in dealing with NIU staff distinguishes him as a candidate for Student Affairs associate vice president.

Donald Buckner said he knows “how to get things done at the university,” in an open meeting to students in the Holmes Student Center Wednesday. No students attended the meeting.

Buckner also has served as a special assistant to Student Affairs Vice President Barbara Henley since last September.

Among his accomplishments while serving as a special assistant are his efforts at organizing and recruiting for a midwest conference on racism at NIU last October. The conference included over 560 representatives from 52 institutions.

Buckner, director of Student Housing Services since 1967, said he is proud of his minority hiring record. He credits himself with introducing Univision, a Spanish language channel, and the Black Entertainment Television channel to the residence hall cable television.

He also said he is responsible for developing a more sensitive staff at housing services.

Besides his work at NIU, Buckner held positions in student personnel and student affairs at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., and the University of Missouri. He said this work has given him 32 years experince in student leadership.

Buckner said he sees a “need to raise awareness about all diverse opinion,” at NIU. He supports efforts to explore required multi-cultural classes for all NIU students.

Buckner’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Cornell University, N.Y., a master’s degree in industrial management from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, N.Y., another master’s degree in counseling from the University of Missouri, and a doctorate in student affairs administration from the American University, Washington D.C.